In a restaurant, light isn’t just practical, it’s another layer of aesthetic curation that restaurants play with.

Dimness is a value in a public space—it affords intimacy where spaces sometimes won’t allow it. But visibility is just as valuable: you’ve got to be able to read the menu, get the full effect of the presentation, and know what you’re eating. Striking a balance can be tricky without interrupting the design of the space—but these restaurants have perfected it.

With lighting design that achieves both art and, well, light, here are New York’s Top 15 for Best Lighting Design.